You're running out of options if you have your heart set on a Dickensian holiday experience this year. And as far as I know, this is the only production of "A Christmas Carol" in Jackson County this year, and the only professional production in the area, to boot.

This adaptation has been used by the Nebraska Theatre Caravan since 1979. Here's what their press release has to say about the affair:

This Victorian version of Christmas magic is presented with a full array of traditional Christmas carols interwoven with the well-known story. Each carol was chosen for the dramatic atmosphere it contributes to the total evening. Performed by a cast of 28 performers on a set evoking Currier and Ives prints and featuring special effects such as a spinning bed, this is a glorious holiday evening the whole family can enjoy!

You should make reservations immediately for The Bon Ton Room's Christmas cabaret show if you're planning on going. It has been known to sell out in advance.

If you weren't planning on going, maybe you should. I'm guessing it wouldn't be so popular if it wasn't an enjoyable way to get in the holiday spirit.

A total of five performances are scheduled this weekend and next. The show features all of last year's cast — Elena Beasley, Roxanne Bruner, Matt Davis, Steve Hug, Kerrie Manders, Lori Pelham, Sandy Sykes, Allen Tuttle and Sherra Zuck — singing a mix of religious carols, contemporary favorites and parodies.

So far, these films have taken the prizes for top documentary and top feature at both the Sundance Film Festival and Gotham Independent Film Awards. They are certainly among the best-received indie films of 2008. And neither has shown in Jackson until now — well, other than the screenings last weekend at the Michigan Theatre that I missed. Not this weekend. I'm going to try and make a double feature of them on Friday.

"Trouble the Water" is a documentary that uses footage shot by a resident of New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward before, during and after Hurricane Katrina. It was directed by "Fahrenheit 9/11" producers Carl Deal and Tia Lessi.

"Frozen River" is the story of two desperate mothers who get drawn into the world of human smuggling, as they sneak illegal immigrants from Quebec to New York in the trunk of a car. It is among three films that scored a leading six nominations for the 2009 Film Independent's Spirit Awards.

Nick Dentamaro, Citizen PatriotBrody Hiller, 9, of Jackson works with a peice of clay during last month's Family Art Day at Art 634.

I'd honestly never heard of "bare" before the press release for this JCC Drama Club production showed up in my e-mail inbox. Playbill says it's a "fan favorite," and it sounds like it has something of a cult following.

Here's what said press release has to say about the show:

"bare: The Musical' follows a group of high school students at a Catholic boarding school as they deal with some age-related issues - social acceptance, sexual identity, questioning of religion and adults, experimentation with illegal substances, and raging hormones. At the center of this tale are Peter and Jason, roommates and lovers. Peter longs to come out and bring their relationship to light, while popular overachiever Jason can't bear to bare his secret to the world. Their struggles, along with those of their classmates, are told against the backdrop of pop music selections.

Needless to say it contains some mature subject matter and probably won't appeal to the conservative set. Any RENT-heads out there will probably want to check it out, though.